SPECIAL NOTICE
D -- D--RFI - Interagency Pass Modernization
- Notice Date
- 4/6/2023 2:31:50 PM
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 541511
— Custom Computer Programming Services
- Contracting Office
- WASHINGTON CONTRACTING OFFICE LAKEWOOD CO 80225 USA
- ZIP Code
- 80225
- Solicitation Number
- 140P2123R0026
- Response Due
- 5/8/2023 7:00:00 AM
- Point of Contact
- WIND, TIMOTHY, Phone: 3039692070, Fax: (907) 9833219
- E-Mail Address
-
Tim_Wind@nps.gov
(Tim_Wind@nps.gov)
- Description
- THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This is not an invitation for bids (IFB), request for quotations (RFQ), or request for proposals (RFP). This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. Unsolicited proposals will not be accepted. Funding is not available at this time. The National Park Service has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it is anticipated that it will be released on the SAM.gov website. It is the responsibility of the potential responders to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this subject. The Government will not reimburse contractors or responders to this notice for any costs incurred in responding, or any subsequent exchange of information. All responses shall be transmitted electronically to tim_wind@nps.gov Description: The America the Beautiful � the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass program was established under the 2004 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 USC Chapter 87) and launched in 2007. Six federal land management agencies participate in the program, including Department of Interior (DOI) Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and National Park Service (NPS); Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (USFS); and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service (NPS) manages the America the Beautiful � the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program in close coordination with, and on behalf of, the six federal land management agencies (Agencies). The suite of America the Beautiful � the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes (collectively termed Interagency Pass) is used by the public to pay for certain Federal recreation fees. The public can currently choose from 8 plastic versions of the Interagency Pass, subject to qualifying criteria that must be met and, in some cases, documented, before a pass is issued. For information about the Interagency Pass Program, see https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes or NPS Plan Your Visit - Passes. On behalf of the six participating agencies, the NPS is seeking sources interested in providing information for innovative and state-of-the-art solutions to improve customer and visitor service through modernizing and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Interagency Pass Program. In particular, the NPS is seeking new technology ideas and options to create a digital or electronic Interagency Pass program to update the program, streamline operations, improve access, and enhance the customer/visitor experience for diverse populations. These ideas must be feasible, e.g., able to be adopted within the infrastructure and management capabilities (current and/or near future) of the Agencies and take into account the requirements and constraints of the Interagency Pass Program. Current Challenges for the Program � Expanding list of passes: Since the inception of the Interagency Pass Program in 2007 several more passes, qualifying criteria, and special features have been added. As many as three million Interagency Passes may be issued each year. There are currently 8 different annual and lifetime passes; some include discounts, such as the passes for seniors (age 62 years or older) and individuals who have a qualified disability. Each pass has its own set of eligibility and documentation requirements. Expansion of the pass program has made it more difficult for the public to understand what passes are available, and which pass is most advantageous for them. The expansion has also made managing the Interagency Pass program more complex and resource intensive for the Agencies. Additional entry requirements and fee types recently adopted by several agencies, such as reservations, digital site passes, and timed entry, have added further complexity and confusion to the basic question asked by visitor, �what do I need in order to visit this park or site?�. The Interagency Pass Program Agencies are seeking technological and/or other solutions to improve and simplify the overall program and enhance the visitor experience. � Methods and means for dynamic communication with the public and staff are needed as part of any proposed solutions. Effective communication about the evolving Interagency Pass Program has become more important than ever for both customer and staff�s understanding. For example, pass customers and visitors want to know about real-time changes to the pass program, locations where their pass will be accepted, and if there are any associated pass discounts, such as for camping, boat launching, etc. A centralized pass customer database with this information does not exist, which limits communication between customers and staff as well as the ability to �look-up"" individual passes once they are sold. With visitation increasing but agency staffing remaining static or decreasing, there is less opportunity to adequately educate customers/visitors by fully outlining pass options before a purchase is made. If the visitor purchases the wrong pass, they may encounter obstacles in trading it for a different one. USGS currently provides customer support services for online sales of Interagency Passes. A `pass selection wizard� was recently added to the USGS Online Store, in an effort to help customers purchase the correct pass to meet their needs. However, expanded communication tools are still needed to address customer questions and provide needed information about the pass program. � Public and political interest in a digital version of the Interagency Pass has grown � and it may soon become mandated. The convenience of using a single digital pass to gain access to multiple agencies and sites for a year or a lifetime has significant appeal for the public and substantial efficiencies for management. However, there are significant obstacles in effectively implementing a digital pass program for the Agencies. Issues with poor internet connectivity (DSL, wireless, cellular, satellite, etc.) or a complete lack of connectivity in many site locations can be a barrier for the public to purchase and Agencies to sell and validate passes. Hundreds of unstaffed locations present challenges for efficiently validating passes and payments. Additionally, disparate systems are currently in use, including but not limited to: point-of-sale (Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce) at staffed locations, automated pay stations (such as Ventek International, model M600) at some unstaffed sites, and recreation.gov (which includes a Web site and a mobile app) for reservation-based products. Solutions that will integrate with existing systems are required. � Meeting the increasing customer demand and Agencies� needs for cashless transactions and hands-free validation is underway. Several but not all Agencies are increasingly accepting credit cards for fee payment and pass sales via point-of-sale systems at staffed entrance stations, and/or relying on self-pay/automated fee machines and `scan and pay� mobile apps at unstaffed locations. Digital `site passes� are now sold online at recreation.gov, but only for use at a single site. Physical Interagency Passes can be purchased online and mailed to the customer; however, challenges may exist with timely delivery in advance of a planned trip. Limited staffing, lack of appropriate infrastructure and connectivity, and high equipment and maintenance costs remain as obstacles to going cashless and hands-free at many sites. Solutions are sought that will enable the sale and validation of digital Interagency Passes, as well as physical passes, including methods applicable to locations without onsite staff and/or with intermittent or no connectivity. � Physical passes have printed serial numbers with a barcode; however, the serial number convention has changed over the years with some lifetime passes that do not follow the present convention. Until the old format passes can be exchanged for modern formats, technology will be needed that recognizes multiple serial number formats. Additionally, a feature that allows for automatic gate operation via a physical and/or digital pass is desired at some sites. Previously a magnetic strip was included for this purpose; however, this was discontinued due to lack of space on the existing physical passes. Another type of electronic gate in use is the HySecurity, model StrongArmPark DC which allows entry once a numeric code is entered onto a keypad. Solutions are sought that would also enable automatic gate operation via physical and digital passes. � Modernization methods, such as adopting a digital Interagency Pass, use of RFID, geofencing, automated gates or other technologies are envisioned to eventually replace and/or augment the legacy pass system. Such methods may enable scanning and verifying physical or digital passes at entrance gates or at self-service kiosks. Having both online and offline functionality is key for both ease of use by visitors and effective management by Agencies. � Methods are sought to improve both the customer/visitor experience and Agencies� efficiency when purchasing and validating passes. o Agencies are interested in opportunities to streamline the number and type of passes, and/or make physical and/or digital passes renewable. Such technologies require additional functionality, such as customer accounts and a central, secure interagency database with look-up capability. Dynamic system management such as the ability to assign pass type and value at point-of-sale could reduce the overall number and types of passes needed. Visitors increasingly request the ability for agencies to look up lost/forgotten passes, upgrade from one pass type to another, and renew passes based on stored data. o Agencies would benefit from a central database and the ability to control access and manage permissions for the passes remotely, such as reprogramming passes and �turning off� a lost or stolen pass. Additional desired future capabilities include pass templates and bulk updates; real-time analytics and reporting `dashboard� and embedded dynamic agency-wide access. o Solutions that integrate with existing capabilities such as service-wide point-of- sale systems, scan and pay, and existing site-specific digital pass systems are needed. Solutions should incorporate reverse integration with physical passes, to enable phased implementation (especially for agencies without point-of-sale systems, connectivity, staffed sites etc.). o Better integration is needed with other Agency business solutions, so they can work seamlessly together. Examples of providing seamless customer experience include a centralized shopping cart with agencies/concessioners/USGS/Recreation.gov, and/or a digital wallet version of the purchased pass in the NPS app. � Production and sale of millions of plastic passes annually is costly, resource intensive, and results in added plastic waste into the solid waste stream (the need for fraud prevention features in physical passes limits their reuse or recyclability). Should the program continue to issue and use physical Interagency Passes, solutions to minimize plastic wastes and resource consumption are essential. � The Agencies� goals for achieving greater social equity, access, diversity, and inclusion must be incorporated into planning for modernization concepts for recreation and Interagency Passes. For example, not everyone has access to credit cards, smartphones, or the internet. Individuals may have limitations to using internet-based technologies or phone apps. Building in flexibility for payment methods and ways to obtain and display passes will help ensure these goals are achievable. � Dozens of third-party partners are currently engaged via formal agreements to sell only the Interagency Annual Pass. National retail partners sell the annual passes online and in brick-and-mortar stores; local partners in gateway communities or in cooperative bookstores or gift shops sell passes only on site. Passes sold by third parties may not be marked up for profit but are purchased by these vendors at a slightly discounted rate as incentive for participation. Solutions to modernize the pass program that also support gateway communities and recreation/eco-tourism related business partnerships are desired. More information about these and other issues, opportunities and constraints regarding the Interagency Pass Program are described in the attached summary of issues. Information to include in your response, as applicable: A. The following entity information: (1) Name and Address of the vendor (2) Size and type of business, including applicable socioeconomic status (3) Point of contact with name, title, phone, and email (4) Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Number (5) Proposed alternate NAICS codes (optional) (6) Vendor's capability statement (optional) (7) Any existing indefinite delivery vehicles (such as GSA Schedules) (optional) B. Proposed Solution(s). Respond to each of the numbered sections below (include negative responses as well as positive). Provide: � Information about your solution(s) and how it meets the needs identified above as current challenges, from both the users� and Agencies� perspectives. � Your experience in delivering and supporting relevant technological solutions. This should include installation, configuration, security, communication, training, and relevant similar experience in supporting the federal government. � Your ability to deliver solutions in accordance with the Department of the Interior (DOI, Department) Information Technology (IT) Baseline Compliance Contract Guidelines, July 2022 (or most current version). 1. Digital version of interagency passes a. Describe how a digital pass would be purchased online via a user�s computer or mobile device such as a smart phone or tablet. b. How your solution would work when passes are used at sites that charge per person and sites that charge per vehicle. c. Once purchased, how would the digital pass be used by visitors at both staffed and unstaffed sites, with and without connectivity? d. Would your solution include a secure database with dynamic system management, to enable customers/agencies to look-up, manage and renew passes? e. Would your solution enable the collection of pass use data? f. Would your solution be able to provide a dynamic list and/or a map showing federal recreational lands that accept these passes? 2. Introduction of additional technologies a. What new or currently unused (by the Agencies) technologies are proposed and feasible? E.g., Could your solution work with cameras that read license plates or RFID technology? Could it work for Near-field Communication (NFC) technology, e.g., touch free pass payment from a smart phone or tablet. 3. Integration with existing technologies a. How your solution would work with technologies currently in use by the Agencies for cashless transactions and hands-free validation, including point-of-sale systems, automated fee machines, scan and pay systems, and electronic gates. b. How your solution would enable better integration with other Agency business solutions, so they can work seamlessly together. 4. Address Financial and Reporting Capabilities a. Details of reporting capabilities, including but not limited to real-time analytics dashboard for pass sales, revenue, and demographics; pass use by site/agency, etc. b. Would your solution provide the ability for revenues to be disseminated to individual sites or administrative units based on pass use or other method? c. Describe possible financing and licensing models (for budgeting purposes only and does not constitute an offer or proposal). d. Provide the customer information collected to complete a financial transaction and allow for program management. 5. Security and Fraud Prevention a. What type of security features does your solution offer to prevent fraud/misuse? For example, methods to prevent pass duplication, counterfeit, illegal resale or sharing of passes, etc. b. How the solution will ensure the security (confidentiality, integrity, and availability) of the data at-rest and in transit. c. Would your solution(s) require collecting, maintaining, and safeguarding a system of records (specifically electronic) with personally identifiable information (PII)? If so, describe how this would be accomplished in accordance with federal requirements. 6. Address environmental and societal goals of Agencies a. How your solution would minimize plastic or other solid wastes and reduce resource consumption. b. How your solution would enhance social equity, access, diversity, and inclusion goals for the Agencies. c. How your solution would enable beneficial partnerships with gateway communities, concessioners, and recreation/eco-tourism related businesses. 7. Describe Pilot Approach a. How you would approach conducting a pilot or demonstration that would show technological strategy while complying with technology policies and requirements and minimizing risk. Closing Date: The closing date for this RFI is 05/08/2023. As indicated above, the Government will not reimburse contractors or responders to this notice for any costs incurred in responding, or any subsequent exchange of information. All responses shall be transmitted electronically to tim_wind@nps.gov. POC: Tim Wind Contracting Officer National Park Service, Washington Contracting Office 202-354-3803 Tim_wind@nps.gov
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- Record
- SN06641966-F 20230408/230406230111 (samdaily.us)
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